News

Canal Volunteering

The next Hyndburn Volunteer Workparty is on Wednesday, 19th February at 10:00am.

Please remember that our Volunteer Work Party dates are subject to change if we are asked to undertake essential or additional tasks by the Canal & River Trust.  Contact Barbara Sharples to sign up as a Volunteer so we can email you with any last minute changes.

Join us on the Leeds and Liverpool Enfield Changeline Bridge No 114A, Enfield Wharf, Blackburn Road Bridge, Clayton-le-Moors off the A678.  Grid Reference SD747304.  Weeding and pruning shrubs at the entrance slope from Blackburn Road.   We may be able to remove items from the canal – size and weight will determine this. There is a lot to do at Bridge 114A so there will be litter-picking at Enfield Wharf changeline Bridge #114A only and not along the canal towpath to Rileys Swing Bridge No 114 and Whalley Road Bridge No 114B.  This session is in response to a site visit and information supplied from the general public about magnet fishing and general litter and waste and future landscaping of the two shrub beds.

Tea, coffee and biscuit refreshments are supplied. All tools and gloves are provided but you can bring your own gloves. Safety equipment provided.  Please wear suitable outdoor clothing, strong shoes or boots and bring your lunch.  You may need to park in the Oak Street/Maple Street area – BB5 5JJ

Volunteer for as long as you can and do as much as you can or pop along to find out more about volunteering on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.  This volunteering opportunity is provided through a partnership between the Canal & River Trust and The PROSPECTS Foundation.

Contact barbara.sharples@prospectsfoundation.org.uk

Wednesday Wellbeing Walks by Water

Meet at 10:00am on Wednesday, 26th February.  Wear suitable footwear and clothing for walking and for the terrain and predicted weather on the day.  Only one dog per adult please.

Meet at ‘The Woodlands’ entrance just off Whalley Road (A680).  The Hyndburn circular buses 6, 6A, 7, 7A pass ‘The Woodlands’ at the Sparth House bus stop.  We start at 10:00am so people can use their bus pass to get to the start or have time to walk from a local school after dropping off children.

Post Code: Whalley Road BB5 5RP Clayton-le-Moors.  If driving please park on Warwick Ave, Clayton-le-Moors, BB5 5RE  Grid Reference: SD747314

This is the first of our monthly walks in partnership with the Canal and River Trust.

These walks will be for those taking their first steps into walking, those returning to walking and those new to the area that want to connect with other people and make new friends, be more active, take notice of their local neighbourhood, the history and nature around them, to learn with other people and to participation in social and community life.  We all want to feel a sense of wellbeing.  Life can be tough and we all need a space where we can get away from the noise, pressure and pollution of everyday life.

We will start after children have been dropped off at school and finish in time for everyone to get home for an early lunch!   The walks will be taken at a stroll and not a long or fast cardiovascular pace.  They are aimed at people who have not walked for a long time and are a little bit afraid of joining a walking group and those who want to get out and start building up their walking again.  We will be looking for the first signs that spring is not far away and simply enjoying being outside near water and woods together and meeting new people. and learning a little bit about local history.

 

New Projects Receive Windfall Funding

Following the recent Windfall Fund assessment meeting 6 new projects received funding including Hyndburn Butterfly Project, Baxenden Community Forum, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Idle Women. This means Windfall funded work will be carried out at Whinney Hill Woodlands, Milnshaw Park, Hollins Wood, Jubilee Plantation, Woodnook Vale Local Nature Reserve and at Woodnook and Miller Fold Community Allotments.

Look out for one of the Windfall Fund plaques to see where other projects have taken place. If your community group is interested in applying for funding then head to the Windfall pages on this website for more details.

Weekend Volunteering with PROSPECTS and Ribble Rivers Trust

Prospects Foundation and Ribble Rivers Trust have partnered with Hyndburn Borough Council to run a series of volunteering sessions on the two Local Nature Reserves in Hyndburn. There are a range of activities on both Woodnook Vale and Peel Park Reserves. Keep an eye on Prospects website for details of each event as they arise. For more information contact Roger Plum at Prospects on 01254 230348 or roger.plum@prospectsfoundation.org.uk or Ribble Rivers Trust on 01200 444452 or admin@ribbletrust.com

Click on poster to expand.

 

Wednesday Wellbeing Walks by Water

These walks will be for those taking their first steps into walking, those returning to walking and those new to the area that want to connect with other people and make new friends, be more active, take notice of their local neighbourhood, the history and nature around them, to learn with other people and to participation in social and community life.  We all want to feel a sense of wellbeing.  Life can be tough and we all need a space where we can get away from the noise, pressure and pollution of everyday life.

We will start after children have been dropped off at school and finish in time for everyone to get home for an early lunch!   The walks will be taken at a stroll and not a long or fast cardiovascular pace.  They are aimed at people who have not walked for a long time and are a little bit afraid of joining a walking group and those who want to get out and start building up their walking again. 

In February we will be looking for the first signs that spring is not far away and simply enjoying being outside near water and woods together and meeting new people. and learning a little bit about local history.  See the What’s On page for February for venues, dates and times.

Trustee Safeguarding Training

We take our safeguarding responsibilities at PROSPECTS very seriously to make sure everyone has a safe and rewarding experience when taking part in our activities.

Our trustees attended a safeguarding briefing session last night to make sure they are up to date with Charity Commission requirements and staff and trustees will be undertaking further training soon.

Thanks to Tammy at Taye Training for delivering a very informative session.

Great Christmas Present Idea!

How about giving one of our re-usable coffee mugs as a Christmas present?

Show your friends and family that you care about the environment and give them a ‘green’ re-usable cup!! An absolute bargain at only £3 each and the money will help PROSPECTS deliver more of the projects that help care for the environment in Hyndburn.

Pop into our Environment Centre on Broadway in Accrington to purchase your mug and pick up information at the same time on how you can get involved in our events and activities.

   

Work at Huncoat Woods

Over the last few weeks our Monday and Tuesday volunteers have been working at Huncoat Woods, cutting down some of the trees. This is to open up areas allowing more light in to encourage growth of a shrub layer which will help improve the habitat and also to clear round some of the Oak and Hawthorn trees to allow them space to develop. The cut trees have been made into habitat piles which along with the bird boxes put up previously will provide shelter and habitat for a range of wildlife. If you’d like to get involved with the project or get more information then please contact Roger at roger.plum@prospectsfoundation.org.uk or on 01254 230348

Rothwell Heights Tree Planting

 

We had a Saturday session on 23rd November as part of National Tree week to plant trees in the Forest School area at Rothwell Heights, in conjunction with Adventure Hyndburn and Hyndburn Borough Council. The area is part of the Woodnook Vale Local Nature Reserve. Over 200 trees were planted to provide an understorey in areas where trees had been felled. This will improve the structure of the wood and the diversity of habitats. Woodnook Vale Local Nature Reserve was declared last year and along with Peel Park and The Coppice Local Nature Reserve is one of the two largest Local Nature Reserves in Lancashire. Leaflets on the reserves are available from Prospects Foundation and Hyndburn Borough Council. A further event for National Tree week will be held on Saturday 30th November at Plantation Wood, Accrington, details are in our What’s On section.

Whinney Hill Tree ID Walk

Despite the weather we had a successful walk around Whinney Hill to learn about Winter tree ID. Whinney Hill is one of the woodlands in our Hyndburn Woodlands Project and has an excellent circular walk with a wide variety of trees and views of the surrounding area. On todays walk we identified Hazel, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Guelder Rose, Whitebeam, Aspen, Alder, Oak, Silver Birch, Willow and Spindle. We run regular volunteering sessions in the woods and will also be holding more walks and training courses in the New Year. For more information contact Roger Plum at roger.plum@prospectsfoundation.org.uk or on 01254 230348. All activities are sent on our mailing list so if you’re not already on it sign up to get details of all upcoming events.

Volunteer Celebration at the Mayor’s Parlour

We were delighted to be invited to attend a celebration event for Cycling Project’s volunteers at the Mayor’s Parlour in Accrington Town Hall on Thursday evening. Long standing volunteers were awarded certificates by the Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor June Harrison, for their outstanding contribution to the Wheels for All and the Pedal Away programmes in the Borough. As well as funding the Pedal Away programme through the Windfall Fund we are now able to lend our electric bikes to the project too so that more people can join in with the rides.

The Pedal Away rides are perfect for those wanting to get back in the saddle to refresh how to use gears and bakes whilst cycling on traffic-free routes and cycle paths. The rides have been established across the whole of East Lancashire and the ones in Hyndburn have been running on Monday mornings at 10.00am leaving from Eagle Street in Accrington. These sessions have now finished for the winter but will start up again in Spring 2020.

To find out more about the Pedal Away programmes or Cycling Projects contact Nancy on 07469 148245 or nancy.waine@cycling.org.uk

Next Windfall Deadline

Don’t forget, the next closing date for Windfall applications is Friday 6th December 2019 at 12 noon. If you have an idea for a project or would like any any more information on how to apply or to find out if your group or idea is eligible then don’t hesitate to get in touch – contact Alison on 01254 230348 or email alison.silver@prospectsfoundation.org.uk

Huncoat Trail Walk (Sat 9th Nov)

On Saturday 9th November 2019 a hardy bunch of 8 people completed the 9.20 mile Huncoat Trail in memory of Roy Chetham who passed away earlier this year.  Roy devised the route of the Trail and helped make it popular with walking groups coming from all over the North West to complete it.

As you would expect in early November the weather was dank but the rain held off and it was a thoroughly enjoyable walk that we’d recommend.

The official walk starts from the Stocks but we decided to start from the Peace Garden over the road as it’s also the location of the new memorial stone dedicated to Roy which was created with help from Prospects and the Huncoat Forum.

We set off just after 10.00am and took in the quick loop up to the War Memorial which is just off Burnley Lane.  Here you can take in wide views of the Ribble Valley to the north.

From the War Memorial we dropped back down to the stocks and then headed through to Spout House woodland.  This is a woodland that was originally planted by Prospects in the mid-noughties and was then increased substantially in size by Hyndburn Borough Council a few years ago.  There is a great footpath network throughout the new woodland leading down to the Bluebell Way housing estate.  We passed through the estate to the level crossing on Station Road and then across on to the Pit Top Reserve.  This is a Lancashire County Council reclamation site and is now a woodland with meadows and is excellent for wildlife.  We carried on through the site and out the other end skirting the RSPCA buildings and over to the M65 motorway.

After crossing the footbridge it was then a short walk across fields to Clough Bank canal bridge and down on to the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

We then headed eastwards for a couple of miles towards Hapton/Burnley, passing Altham Lane before leaving the canal at Shuttleworth.  Then across more fields northwards to a remarkable piece of industrial heritage, the canal, motorway and railway line all together.  It brings home how this area of east Lancashire has been key to industry the past few hundreds years.

Once over the railway line it was then up through Castle Clough Woods.  What a lovely woodland.  The Beech trees were a wonderful golden colour and the views down the steep drop into the Clough were breathtaking.

Again, the path through the woodland was boggy but obviously well used.  We then crossed Mill Lane and through the redundant picnic site and car park and through more woodland and over streams and then up to more fields up to Burnley Road and across into Hameldon Woods.  These are owned by United Utilities and are now in need of some TLC as the paths are scoured and trees are falling over.

Once up through the woods it’s out into the open again and high level pasture (Herst) up to Hameldon Scouts and the quarries.  These are very distinct and the harsh skyline makes them noticeable for miles around.  The views from up here are wonderful and rival many other beauty spots.

After a short lunch break it was on up to the top of the Scouts and we then skirted the summit round to Windy Harbour Farm and then on to the Kings Highway.  Again, a local and ancient route of note.  We then headed across a few fields and through snicks and over stiles to Slate Pits Farm and the A56 underpass.

Once through the underpass this brings you out above the lodges and once more fine views.  A right turn and a couple of hundred yards later we were on the Coppice.  We followed the footpath that runs alongside the A56 and then around the top of the Coppice to the monument where again there are fine views across Accrington.  A few group photos and then we weaved our way down the Coppice past the bowling green car park and through to the Whitaker’s Arms on Burnley Road.

Then it was through the Cemetery to Within Grove and across Bolton Avenue and across fields to Spout House woodland and then up to the Stocks and the Peace Garden.

Overall, it took us 5 hours to walk the 9.20 miles, including a short lunch break and a few short stops to take in views.

It’s got almost everything you could want from a walk; hills, a canal, a railway crossing, lots of history, wildlife, lovely woodlands and lovely views.

We’ll be doing another walk in Summer 2020 with the Huncoat Forum and the aim is to keep the walk going, maybe reprint the leaflet and also maybe put together a small programme of improvements to the Trail itself make it even better.

Below are a selection of photos from the walk and also a short video clip of the view from Hameldon Scouts. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Funding Secured

Do you shop at your local Co-op? Well if you do please choose us as your LOCAL CAUSE 

Our project has been selected as one of the local causes in the Rishton and Clayton-le-Moors Co-op stores. Support our cause and 1% of what you spend on most Co-op products and services will automatically go to support our environmental work.

If you are a Co-op member sign in via THIS LINK and you will be able to choose our project to receive your donations wherever you are in the country!

Over the next 12 months we will be carrying out environmental projects with local community groups in Rishton and Clayton. Activities will include work on the canal towpath, conservation management in local woodlands, food growing and improving biodiversity in school grounds, Churchyards and other areas of green space and encouraging people to become members of the two PROSPECTS Panels in the area. If you are interested in getting involved then please get in touch!

 

 

National Tree Week 23rd November – 1st December 2019

National Tree Week (23rd November to 1st December 2019) is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree planting season and is a great chance for communities to do something positive for their local treescape. This is how you can get involved

We are putting on 3 activities during Tree Week this year:

Saturday 23rd November – Rothwell Heights Forest School tree planting

Wednesday 27th November  – winter tree ID walk around Whinney Hill

Saturday 30th November – Plantation woodland ancient trees

See the What’s On calendar for more details of these events

Click on the link for more information on The Tree Council and National Tree Week

     

Bernard Scully

It is with sadness that we report that Bernard passed away on 15th October 2019 aged 72.  As anyone who knew Bernard will know, he was one of the driving forces behind the Church Prospects Panel for many many years.  Without Bernard and the rest of the Church Panel there would be no Donkey Back Picnic Site, Gatty Park Community Growing Space or Prospects Tools Store (now at Oakhill Park).

As well as supporting the Church Panel for many years, Bernard then went on to set up the Hyndburn Heritage Museum which is now in Accrington Arndale Centre.

Bernard and his vine at Gatty Park (Sep 2007)

 

 

Wrap Up Lancashire

WRAP UP LANCASHIRE IS BACK!

For the 2nd year running Rotarians in Lancashire are collecting your old, unwanted coats and giving them to charities that support the homeless, refugees, children living in poverty and people fleeing domestic violence (to name a few) and our very own Windfall Fund has supported the project.

Any size, style, colour of men’s, women’s and children’s coats will be greatly appreciated. All donations will then be sorted and delivered to our nominated charity partners, for distribution to those in need just in time for winter.

Help keep vulnerable people warm this winter by donating a coat this Winter!

Go to www.wrapuplancashire.co.uk to find a collection point near you

Ink Toner and Cartridge Recycling Scheme

We have started an ink toner and cartridge recycling scheme. Please drop off your empty toner and ink cartridges in our collection box at the PROSPECTS Environment Centre in Accrington and we will ensure they are processed and recycled in the UK according to all current environmental waste regulations.

The cartridges will be recorded and sorted according to brand and re-usability. Re-usable cartridges will be re-manufactured and re-used. Non-reusable cartridges will be broken down and separated into raw materials such as plastic, metals and toner then re-used in other industries.

So what are you waiting for – drop off your used ink toners and cartridges now – if not disposed of in this way one cartridge can take 1,000 years to decompose
Scroll to top